Lipstick case and refill cartridge

ABSTRACT

A lipstick case and it&#39;s refill compontent that allows for the protection and housing of cosmetic products. The lipstick case is thick walled, high quality and can be made by any manufacturing process and by any suitable materials available.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to lipstick cases and, moreparticularly, to lipstick cases that have a refillable cartridge, refillvia breech loading, are extemely durable and rigid and are attached tokeyrings via a swivel o-ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For decades cosmetics have been an essential part of most women'sdaily beauty regimine. The problem however lies in cheaply made casesthat crush, allow lipstick to melt, feel cheap, look cheap, don'tprotect the lipsticks sufficiently, open unexpectedly in a woman'spurse, and may actually get lost in the bottom of a woman's handbag.Because lipstick cases are relatively inexpensive plastic, tin, or lowgrade aluminum, most consumers have little choice on a quality brand oflipstick that not only feels good, but looks good as well.

[0003] Cosmetics are traditionally a throw away product. There are manydifferent shapes, sizes, etc. The materials used to construct the casesare typically plastic, tin, and aluminum. Some companies have come upwith innovative items such as a ring on the top of the cap so theconsumer can wear it on a rope or their keys.

[0004] These other cases still dont address the other problems, such ascheaply made plastick components, opening in a purse, or getting lost ina handbag. they are often cheaply made work-arounds that don't reallyget the job done. A woman with more refined tastes, that can afford thebest is still usually stuck with cheaply made cosmetic components simplybecause there is nothing better available. Also, because of the cheapmaterials used to make other lipstick componentry, screw down caps areusually impractical or impossible due to the extreme forces acting onthe material itself, causing stress fractures in the components orbreakage. this leads to leaks, and non fuctional components.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to house and protectcosmetic products.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to prevent such productfrom being damaged or damaging other property.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to use high end materialson a product that is typically not done.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to allow the user to attachproduct to their keyrings, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided alipstick case and it's refill compontent that allows for the protectionand housing of cosmetic products. the lipstick case comprises an o-ringthat is used to attach lipstick case to a keyring, purse, etc. This caseand it's respective refill cartridge are comprised of a total of 7sub-components but my be comprised from as little as six to as many as10.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtainedby reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered inconjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front view of a Lipstick case and refill componentexpanded view of all items that comprise lipstick and refill cartridge;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a view showing assembled cartridgebeing inserted into body of lipstick case;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an expanded ¾ view of lipstickcase and cartridge;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a front view of a fully assembled lipstick andcartridge; and

[0015]FIG. 5 is a front view of a fully assembled lipstick case andcartridge.

[0016] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and componentswill bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017]FIG. 1 is an expanded front view of a fully assembled lipstickcase and cartridge 44 (shown fully assembled in FIG. 4) in accordancewith this invention. an o-ring 12, shown in FIG. 1 is attached to aremovable or non removable o-ring 12 divot or attachment 42 shown inFIG. 4. This attachment is then secured to the top cap 14. This o-ring12 can be fashioned out of any suitable material by any means and isrigid but is also able so swivel on a limited axis. It can be any shape,round, oval, square or angular and serves to secure the lipstick case toa key ring, purse strap, etc. It has a space in the bottom with twotapered ends 56. This feature prevents the o-ring 12 from cuttingmaterial away from the o-ring 12 divot or attachment 42.

[0018] The o-ring 12 divot or attachment 42 can be removable or nonremovable and rigid, durable, and can be fabricated by any means, fromany suitable material. It can have a hole drilled all the way through soa rope, chain, or any other instrument can be strung through. thisparticular iteration of the design has a small indention drilled on eachside with a retainer wall in the middle. the wall serves to stop ano-ring 12 from spinning, there by exposing a seam. The tapered ends 56shown in FIG. 4 are securely clamped into these two indentations.

[0019] The top cap 14 shown in FIG. 1 is where the divot or attachment42 secures into or is on top of. This top cap 14 is the first of 3 mainpieces that comprise a fully assembled lipstick case 46. this cap isrigid, durable, and can be fabricated by any means, from any suitablematerial and and serves to not only to protect and cover a fullyassembled refill cartridge 48 inside, but also to have a means by whichto secure the o-ring 12 which then secures to the o-ring 12 divot orattachment 42, which then secures to the top cap 14. This top cap 14 issecured by topcap threading 34, a pressure fit, or a friction fit. Thistop cap 14 is then fitted and or screwed onto a body 16.

[0020] The body 16 shown in FIG. 1 is the second piece that comprisesthe fully assembled lipstick case 46. It is rigid, durable, and can befabricated by any means, from any suitable material. this body 16 has 3main features on it. the first feature a threading_upper 36 shown inFIG. 3, the second feature, threading_lower 38 also shown in FIG. 3, anda third feature, a counterbore 32 also shown in FIG. 3. The threadingbody 16 upper is the place where the top cap 14 docks onto the body 16.the threading body 16 lower is where an end cap 24 docks onto the body16. these threadings can be changed to a pressure fit, or a friction fitas needed. the counterbore 32 is a retainer lip 40 that stops acartridge endcap 28 from sliding further up the inside of the body 16.This counterbore 32 can be a lip 40 as shown in FIG. 3 or can be wedgeshaped as an alternative. Whereby the slot by which the fully assembledcartridge slides through, becomes increasingly smaller at the top,thereby trapping a cartridge endcap 28 inside the wedge. This body 16serves to house the fully assembled refill cartridge 48, while allowinga spiral cut sheath 26 to rotate freely on a vertical axis inside of it.

[0021] the end cap 24 shown in FIG. 1 is the 3rd piece of the fullyassembled lipstick case 46. It is rigid, durable, and can be fabricatedby any means, from any suitable material. This end cap 24 is a criticalpiece of engineering to the fully assembled lipstick case 46. It has onemain feature, the endcap threading 50, shown in FIG. 1. This end cap 24docks onto the threading_lower 38 body 16 and is screwed on or can alsobe fabricated to have a friction fit or a pressure fit. As the end cap24 is twisted up the threading-lower body 16, it puts increasing morepressure against a cartridge endcap 28, this in conjunction with thebody 16 counterbore 32 serves to lock the cartridge endcap 28 into alocked position while still allowing the components from the fullyassembled refill cartridge 48-such as the standard 0.477 plastic cup 20,s-cut sheath 22, and spiral cut sheath 26 to move rotationally or on avertical axis.

[0022] A lipstick slug 18 shown in FIG. 1 is the overall end productthat this fully assembled lipstick case and cartridge 44 is made tohouse, protect, and distribute. However, since it is not claimed, nomore will be written on this.

[0023] A standard 0.477 plastic cup 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a criticalpart used in this invention, and holds the lipstick slug 18 in place.But since it comes in many different forms, and is available to anymanufacturer that wants to buy it, it is not claimed in the document.

[0024] The s-cut sheath 22 shown in FIG. 1, is a critical part for theoperation of the fully assembled refill cartridge 48 shown in FIG. 5. Itis rigid, durable, and can be fabricated by any means, from any suitablematerial. This s-cut sheath 22 gets it's name due to the s-cut down bothsides parallel to each other. The s-cuts provides a means by which the0.477 cup divots 60 shown in FIG. 3, slide up and down on a locked axis.This lip 40 then slides through the spiral cut sheath 26 and then clampsinto the cartridge end cap 28, shown in FIG. 1. What makes thisparticular s-cut sheath 22 special is the s-cut sheath retainer lip 58,shown in FIG. 5. This lip 40 serves to block the spiral cut sheath 26from advancing further up the outside of the s-cut sheathe 22 and unlikeother lipsticks, it is actually above and outside the spiral cut sheath26 as opposed to inside of it along a groove near the top. This allowsstronger, non-flexing materials to be used in the construction of thelipstick case.

[0025] The spiral cut sheath 26, shown in FIG. 1, is another criticalpiece of the fully assembled refill cartridge 48. It is rigid, durable,and can be fabricated by any means, from any suitable material. Thisspiral cut sheath 26 is a hollow tube that slide over the s-cut sheath22 and stops at the top of the s-cut sheath by means of the s-cut sheathretainer lip 58. It can be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwisefashion. spiral verical grooves are cut inside the sheath roughly thesame diameter as the 0.477 cup divots 60. As this spiral cut sheath 26is spun, it purshes the 0.447 cup divots up the grooves but due to thes-cut sheath 22, these 0.477 cup divots 60 can only push the standard0.477 plastic cup 20 up and down on a vertical axis. The spiral cutsheath 26 is held from advancing further on its verical axis by thes-cut sheath 22 reatainer lip 40 and the cartridge endcap 28 lip 40 tofit against counterbore 32. what makes this spiral cut sheath 26 specialis that it's held in place the reverse of all other products on themarket. Other lipstick containers work on this principle: The sprial cutsheath is bent over, at the top, the s-cut sheath 22 to prevent thes-cut sheath 22 from advancing upward. my invention works by using thes-cut sheath 22 and the s-cut sheath retainer lip 58 to stop the spiralcut sheath 26 from advancing further.

[0026] The cartridge endcap 28, shown in FIG. 1, is the final piece inthe fully assembled refill cartridge 48. It is rigid, durable, and canbe fabricated by any means, from any suitable material. This cartridgeendcap 28 can and does use a pressure fit and a friction fit. It canalso be held in place by any suitable means. The s-cut sheath 22 snapsinto the cartridge endcap 28 and restricts horizontal, rotational, andvertical movement to the s-cut sheath 22 The sprial cut sheath is thenallowed to spin around the stationary s-cut sheath 22 This cartridgeendcap 28 has a lip 40 on it that locks against the counterbore 32 inthe back of the body 16, which prevents if from moving further forward.The endcap is then screwed up the threading_bottom, pushing thecartridge endcap 28 into a snug and secure fit against the counterbore32.

[0027]FIG. 2, which is a perspective view of cartridge insertion 30 of afully assembled refill cartridge 48 into a fully assembled lipstick case46, with the top cap 14 and the end cap 24 removed. the top cap 14 doesnot have to be removed to perform cartridge insertion 30, however, theend cap 24 does have to be removed, and the screwed back on once thefully assembled refill cartridge 48 is in place.

[0028] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particularoperating requirements and environments will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to theexample chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes andmodifications which do not constitute departures from the true spiritand scope of this invention.

[0029] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to beprotected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lipstick case and refill cartridge fordistributing and safely housing lipstick comprising: means for providingan anchor or “divot” for the o-ring. this anchor is not drilled all theway through, but has a small drill on each side to provide the o-ringwith a place to clamp on, without spinning provides a secure attachmentto rest of lipstick case and keeps cosmetic product securely inside;means for securing topcap and encap to body by means of mechanicalthreads. the inside of this unit has a counterbore at the back opening.this opening provides a lip that stops the cartridge endcap fromadvancing further, rotationally screwed to said means for providing ananchor or “divot” for the o-ring. this anchor is not drilled all the waythrough, but has a small drill on each side to provide the o-ring with aplace to clamp on, without spinning provides a secure attachment to restof lipstick case and keeps cosmetic product securely inside; means forsecuring assembled cartridge inside lipstick case. this encap provides afriction fit for the cartridge endcap and pushes the endcap against thecounterbore inside the body of the lipstick case. this locks the encapin place and allows the user to raise the cosmetic product up and downby spinning the spiral cut sheath, rotationally screwed to said meansfor securing topcap and encap to body by means of mechanical threads.the inside of this unit has a counterbore at the back opening. thisopening provides a lip that stops the cartridge endcap from advancingfurther; means for allowing the standard plastic cup to glide up anddown the s-cut by means of securing to cartridge encap and turning thespiral cut sheath. this s-cut sheath has a large lip on the top of it tokeep the spiral cut sheath from moving further up; means for providing ameans of vertical travel for the standard plastic cup. when this unit isspun clockwise and counterclockwise, the plastic up is forced along avertical path due to the constaints placed on it by the s-cut sheath,rotatably encircling to said means for allowing the standard plastic cupto glide up and down the s-cut by means of securing to cartridge encapand turning the spiral cut sheath. this s-cut sheath has a large lip onthe top of it to keep the spiral cut sheath from moving further up;means for securing both the spiral cut sleeve to the the main cartridgeassembly and more importantly, for securing main cartridge assemblyinside the fully assemebled lipstick case. when the endcap is pressedagainst the cartridge endcap, this in turn pushes the cartridge endcapagainst the counterbore inside the body of the lipstick case andprovides a slip free grip on such unit, rigidly connected to said meansfor allowing the standard plastic cup to glide up and down the s-cut bymeans of securing to cartridge encap and turning the spiral cut sheath.this s-cut sheath has a large lip on the top of it to keep the spiralcut sheath from moving further up; means for provides retainer lip forcartridge endcap to slide up against and stop. the sold purpose for thislip is to prevent the cartridge assembly from sliding further upward;and means for securing o-ring to topcap. this divot is not drilled allthe way through. it is drilled slightly on both sides to allow the oringto clamp on to it. but may be modified and drilled through to allow asold ring to be installed.
 2. The lipstick case and refill cartridge inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing an anchor or“divot” for the o-ring. this anchor is not drilled all the way through,but has a small drill on each side to provide the o-ring with a place toclamp on, without spinning provides a secure attachment to rest oflipstick case and keeps cosmetic product securely inside comprises aridgid, durable, hollow top cap.
 3. The lipstick case and refillcartridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securingtopcap and encap to body by means of mechanical threads. the inside ofthis unit has a counterbore at the back opening. this opening provides alip that stops the cartridge endcap from advancing further. comprises adurable, rigid, hollow body.
 4. The lipstick case and refill cartridgein accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securing assembledcartridge inside lipstick case. this encap provides a friction fit forthe cartridge endcap and pushes the endcap against the counterboreinside the body of the lipstick case. this locks the encap in place andallows the user to raise the cosmetic product up and down by spinningthe spiral cut sheath. comprises a rigid, durable end cap.
 5. Thelipstick case and refill cartridge in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid means for allowing the standard plastic cup to glide up and downthe s-cut by means of securing to cartridge encap and turning the spiralcut sheath. this s-cut sheath has a large lip on the top of it to keepthe spiral cut sheath from moving further up. comprises a durable,rigid, hollow s-cut sheath.
 6. The lipstick case and refill cartridge inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a means ofvertical travel for the standard plastic cup. when this unit is spunclockwise and counterclockwise, the plastic up is forced along avertical path due to the constaints placed on it by the s-cut sheath.comprises a rigid, durable, hollow spiral cut sheath.
 7. The lipstickcase and refill cartridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansfor securing both the spiral cut sleeve to the the main cartridgeassembly and more importantly, for securing main cartridge assemblyinside the fully assemebled lipstick case. when the endcap is pressedagainst the cartridge endcap, this in turn pushes the cartridge endcapagainst the counterbore inside the body of the lipstick case andprovides a slip free grip on such unit. comprises a rigid, durablecartridge endcap.
 8. The lipstick case and refill cartridge inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for provides retainer lipfor cartridge endcap to slide up against and stop. the sold purpose forthis lip is to prevent the cartridge assembly from sliding furtherupward. comprises a counterbore.
 9. The lipstick case and refillcartridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securingo-ring to topcap. this divot is not drilled all the way through. it isdrilled slightly on both sides to allow the oring to clamp on to it. butmay be modified and drilled through to allow a sold ring to be installedcomprises a divot or attachment.
 10. A lipstick case and refillcartridge for distributing and safely housing lipstick comprising: aridgid, durable, hollow top cap, for providing an anchor or “divot” forthe o-ring. this anchor is not drilled all the way through, but has asmall drill on each side to provide the o-ring with a place to clamp on,without spinning provides a secure attachment to rest of lipstick caseand keeps cosmetic product securely inside; a durable, rigid, hollowbody, for securing topcap and encap to body by means of mechanicalthreads. the inside of this unit has a counterbore at the back opening.this opening provides a lip that stops the cartridge endcap fromadvancing further., rotationally screwed to said top cap; a rigid,durable end cap, for securing assembled cartridge inside lipstick case.this encap provides a friction fit for the cartridge endcap and pushesthe endcap against the counterbore inside the body of the lipstick case.this locks the encap in place and allows the user to raise the cosmeticproduct up and down by spinning the spiral cut sheath, rotationallyscrewed to said body; a durable, rigid, hollow s-cut sheath, forallowing the standard plastic cup to glide up and down the s-cut bymeans of securing to cartridge encap and turning the spiral cut sheath.this s-cut sheath has a large lip on the top of it to keep the spiralcut sheath from moving further up; a rigid, durable, hollow spiral cutsheath, for providing a means of vertical travel for the standardplastic cup. when this unit is spun clockwise and counterclockwise, theplastic up is forced along a vertical path due to the constaints placedon it by the s-cut sheath, rotatably encircling to said s-cut sheath; arigid, durable cartridge endcap, for securing both the spiral cut sleeveto the the main cartridge assembly and more importantly, for securingmain cartridge assembly inside the fully assemebled lipstick case. whenthe endcap is pressed against the cartridge endcap, this in turn pushesthe cartridge endcap against the counterbore inside the body of thelipstick case and provides a slip free grip on such unit, rigidlyconnected to said s-cut sheath; a counterbore, for provides retainer lipfor cartridge endcap to slide up against and stop. the sold purpose forthis lip is to prevent the cartridge assembly from sliding furtherupward; and a divot or attachment, for securing o-ring to topcap. thisdivot is not drilled all the way through. it is drilled slightly on bothsides to allow the oring to clamp on to it. but may be modified anddrilled through to allow a sold ring to be installed.
 11. The lipstickcase and refill cartridge as recited in claim 10, further comprising: adurable o-ring, for providing a secure place in which to hang yourlipstick case from your keys, purse, etc. this ring is has a space inthe middle of the ring and is tapered and rounded so as not to damagedivot, pivotally fastened to said top cap.
 12. The lipstick case andrefill cartridge as recited in claim 10, wherein said top cap hascharacteristics selected from the following group: threaded, nonthreaded, pressure fit, and friction fit.
 13. The lipstick case andrefill cartridge as recited in claim 10, wherein said body hascharacteristics selected from the following group: threaded, nonthreaded, friction fit, breach loaded, and pressure fit.
 14. Thelipstick case and refill cartridge as recited in claim 10, wherein saidend cap has characteristics selected from the following group: threaded,non threaded, pressure fit, and friction fit.
 15. The lipstick case andrefill cartridge as recited in claim 10, wherein said cartridge endcaphas characteristics selected from the following group: friction fit,pressure fit, and glued.
 16. The lipstick case and refill cartridge asrecited in claim 10, wherein said counterbore has characteristicsselected from the following group: friction fit, pressure fit, tapered,and non tapered.
 17. The lipstick case and refill cartridge as recitedin claim 10, wherein said divot or attachment has characteristicsselected from the following group: removable, non removable, rigid, andnon rigid.
 18. The lipstick case and refill cartridge as recited inclaim 11, wherein said top cap has characteristics selected from thefollowing group: threaded, non threaded, pressure fit, and friction fit.19. The lipstick case and refill cartridge as recited in claim 11,wherein said body has characteristics selected from the following group:threaded, non threaded, friction fit, breach loaded, and pressure fit.20. The lipstick case and refill cartridge as recited in claim 11,wherein said end cap has characteristics selected from the followinggroup: threaded, non threaded, pressure fit, and friction fit.
 21. Thelipstick case and refill cartridge as recited in claim 11, wherein saidcartridge endcap has characteristics selected from the following group:friction fit, pressure fit, and glued.
 22. The lipstick case and refillcartridge as recited in claim 11, wherein said counterbore hascharacteristics selected from the following group: friction fit,pressure fit, tapered, and non tapered.
 23. The lipstick case and refillcartridge as recited in claim 11, wherein said divot or attachment hascharacteristics selected from the following group: removable, nonremovable, rigid, and non rigid.
 24. The lipstick case and refillcartridge as recited in claim 11, wherein said o-ring hascharacteristics selected from the following group: round, square,angular, and rigid.
 25. The lipstick case and refill cartridge asrecited in claim 18, wherein said o-ring has characteristics selectedfrom the following group: round, square, angular, and rigid.
 26. Thelipstick case and refill cartridge as recited in claim 19, wherein saido-ring has characteristics selected from the following group: round,square, angular, and rigid.
 27. The lipstick case and refill cartridgeas recited in claim 20, wherein said o-ring has characteristics selectedfrom the following group: round, square, angular, and rigid.
 28. Thelipstick case and refill cartridge as recited in claim 21, wherein saido-ring has characteristics selected from the following group: round,square, angular, and rigid.
 29. The lipstick case and refill cartridgeas recited in claim 22, wherein said o-ring has characteristics selectedfrom the following group: round, square, angular, and rigid.
 30. Thelipstick case and refill cartridge as recited in claim 23, wherein saido-ring has characteristics selected from the following group: round,square, angular, and rigid.
 31. A lipstick case and refill cartridge fordistributing and safely housing lipstick comprising: a round, square,angular, rigid, durable o-ring, for providing a secure place in which tohang your lipstick case from your keys, purse, etc. this ring is has aspace in the middle of the ring and is tapered and rounded so as not todamage divot; a threaded, non threaded, ridgid, pressure fit, frictionfit, durable, hollow top cap, for providing an anchor or “divot” for theo-ring. this anchor is not drilled all the way through, but has a smalldrill on each side to provide the o-ring with a place to clamp on,without spinning provides a secure attachment to rest of lipstick caseand keeps cosmetic product securely inside, pivotally fastened to saido-ring; a threaded, non threaded, durable, rigid, friction fit, breachloaded, pressure fit, hollow body, for securing topcap and encap to bodyby means of mechanical threads. the inside of this unit has acounterbore at the back opening. this opening provides a lip that stopsthe cartridge endcap from advancing further, rotationally screwed tosaid top cap; a threaded, non threaded, rigid, pressure fit, frictionfit, durable end cap, for securing assembled cartridge inside lipstickcase. this encap provides a friction fit for the cartridge endcap andpushes the endcap against the counterbore inside the body of thelipstick case. this locks the encap in place and allows the user toraise the cosmetic product up and down by spinning the spiral cutsheath, rotationally screwed to said body; a durable, rigid, hollows-cut sheath, for allowing the standard plastic cup to glide up and downthe s-cut by means of securing to cartridge encap and turning the spiralcut sheath. this s-cut sheath has a large lip on the top of it to keepthe spiral cut sheath from moving further up; a rigid, durable, hollowspiral cut sheath, for providing a means of vertical travel for thestandard plastic cup. when this unit is spun clockwise andcounterclockwise, the plastic up is forced along a vertical path due tothe constaints placed on it by the s-cut sheath, rotatably encircling tosaid s-cut sheath; a rigid, durable, friction fit, pressure fit, gluedcartridge endcap, for securing both the spiral cut sleeve to the themain cartridge assembly and more importantly, for securing maincartridge assembly inside the fully assemebled lipstick case. when theendcap is pressed against the cartridge endcap, this in turn pushes thecartridge endcap against the counterbore inside the body of the lipstickcase and provides a slip free grip on such unit, rigidly connected tosaid s-cut sheath; a friction fit, pressure fit, tapered, non taperedcounterbore, for provides retainer lip for cartridge endcap to slide upagainst and stop. the sold purpose for this lip is to prevent thecartridge assembly from sliding further upward; and a removable, nonremovable, rigid, non rigid divot or attachment, for securing o-ring totopcap. this divot is not drilled all the way through. it is drilledslightly on both sides to allow the oring to clamp on to it. but may bemodified and drilled through to allow a sold ring to be installed.